Gov. Brian Kemp signed six bills into law Thursday that he says will modernize and improve public safety in Georgia. First Lady Marty Kemp, several constitutional officers, members of the Georgia General Assembly, and law enforcement officers, all joined Kemp at the bill signing – including one that was a priority bill for the governor.
HB 105, sponsored by Rep. Will Wade, R-Dawsonville, and carried in the Senate by Sen. Bo Hatchett, R-Cornelia, increases the indemnification benefit for public school employees from $75,000 to $150,000 in the case of death. Additionally, the legislation includes language on notification to disabled peace officers about the Georgia State Indemnification Fund and the temporary disability compensation program. This was one of Kemp’s priorities for the session.
“All Georgians deserve to live in communities that are safe, and the way to accomplish that is by ensuring we have the best-trained, best-equipped law enforcement in the nation,” said Kemp. “By signing these pieces of legislation today, we are once again ensuring those who put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe have the technology and support they need to succeed in that mission.”
Kemp signed another bill by Wade – HB 423 – that facilitates the transition to Next Generation 911 – “a critical step in supporting Georgia first responders and keeping our communities safe.” Kemp said. The bill was carried in the Senate by Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, and championed by GEMA and Homeland Security.
Kemp also signed a bill that many have been watching since it passed in both Chambers. SB 185, sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Randy Robertson, R-Cataula, prohibits the use of state funds for sex reassignment surgery, hormone replacement therapies, or cosmetic procedures for inmates. The bill was carried in the House by Rep. Scott Hilton, R-Peachtree Corners, and supported by the Georgia Department of Corrections. House Democrats walked out of Chambers in protest when this bill was being debated and voted on.
Other bills signed by Kemp Thursday:
HB 114, sponsored by Rep. Lauren McDonald, R-Cuming, and carried in the Senate by Sen. Randy Robertson, R- Cataula, updates the reference date for present federal regulations. The legislation was championed by the Department of Public Safety.
HB 116, also sponsored by McDonald and Sen. Robertson, changes the name of the Motor Carrier Compliance Division to Commercial Vehicle Enforcement. Kemp said this legislation was also championed by the Department of Public Safety
HB 161 grants the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) subpoena power for certain cyber crimes and includes language from the Prosecuting Attorney’s Council (PAC) to update the domestic terrorism statute by relocating the meaning of domestic terrorism to the same code section as the penalty. This legislation was sponsored by Rep. Clint Crowe, R-Jackson, and carried in the Senate by Albers.
